Skoenlappers!

While I was at home I took some snaps of Kim’s shoe closet, because she has a really lovely and varied collection. Each pair of shoes was bought as a result of complete and utter infatuation, which she has been surrendering to (to my father’s amusement) for years.

She loves colourful, cheeky (often impractical) shoes and I think they are the perfect analogy for her irreverent sense of humour and individualistic style. The brightness of her shoe collection next to my safe array of greys, navys and blacks left me lusting after a pair of ruby reds to carry me into Summer. I promptly pranced to the Waterfront, and while tempted by a well-priced pair of scarlet sandals at Zoom, found myself instead drawn to a Lulu Belle necklace made of crayon-coloured links, perfect for this season’s palette (debut today – will tweet a pic later!)

The shoes:

I’ve always loved these blue & white woven slingbacks – bought by Kim on holiday in Buenos Aires years ago. They have an old world feel to them.

Newly acquired leather brogues from Zoom, these are a current favourite.

Furry leopard pumps bought at Caramel in Knysna, extremely cosy.

Terra Plana heels bought at French Kisses, Thesen Island in Knysna. 100% ethical, eco-friendly pod covers. We like.

http://www.terraplana.com/

These Errol Arendz babies remind me of Liquorice Allsorts. Love the colours! Another Kim favourite.

These patent leather cherry T-bar pumps are from Accessorize and are so cute that they come in kids sizes.

Nude uber-heels from Dot Perkins. Yet to be worn due to extreme height, but often tried on.

Adorable fabric mary-janes from Pure Solid 13, one of our favourite local stores. Together my mom and I have quite a collection of their wares, including offbeat tux shirts, pumps, trinkets and dresses. Check out their new shop on Kloof Street near Melissa’s!

Fifteen of my favourites

I’ve been collecting accessories forever and some of them I absolutely treasure. I won’t lend them to anyone, and when anyone gets that tell tale gleam in their eye I fix them with a killswitch stare:

Don’t. Even. Think About It.

Whittling them down was no mean feat, but here are 15 of my favourite pieces – earrings, rings, bags, pendants, headpieces and scarves.

1. Corduroy & leather tie dye school bag

This is from Woodheads, strangely enough. It is handmade and I got it on sale for R 125.00. I just love the kind of tie dye semi-floral corduroy with the grey leather.

http://www.woodheads.co.za/

2.Silk vintage Paris scarf

I bought this in Grahamstown while I was at Rhodes and have worn it to death. It’s fraying at the corners, but I still twist it into knots and wear it as a head scarf, around bags and round my neck.

3. Croc handbag – vintage

I got this from my one of my favourite vintage grottos (it is indeed a grotto) in Knysna earlier this year. I love the clasp, even though it proves difficult to get anything more than a lipstick, purse and cellphone in! Smaller bags are taking the place of all the big slouchy creatures that were in fashion last year, which is great, because I am not a big bag fan. I can fit everything I need into my vast selection of mini bags. If it doesn’t fit, it aint comin with.

4. Betty Boop pendant

This little Betty Boop pendant was a gift from my darling mom years ago – she says I look like Betty Boop. Her little body sways from side to side when I move.

5. Sequinned evening bag – Accessorize

I’ve had this since university and I adore it, even if it is seriously bling.

http://www.accessorize.co.za/

6. Clip-on earrings – vintage

These are ancient earrings that make me feel like a 50’s housewife – I love the organic cluster shape and the enamel on the inside. They make my ears itch.

7. Hepburn bag – vintage

Also from the vintage grotto in Knysna, I have a black one exactly like it that’s more for evening wear – the beads on it are faceted. The cream one has a Hepburnesque feel to it.

8. Heart of hearts ring

This was my 21st birthday present from my parents. They had it custom made for me, based on a ring of my aunt’s that I have always loved. It’s really intricate and I adore it. I love yellow gold and the detail has a nautical feel to it.

9. The Velveteen Rabbit

This is a velvet headpiece thing of my mom’s from the 80’s. The DEEP 80’s. I have a big love affair with velvet, especially if its black or navy.

10. Reversible bag – vintage

Also from the grotto, I only recently discovered that this clutch is entirely reversible – so cool! It’s covered in these strange rivets which are black on one side and white on the other.

11. Tammy earrings

These over-the-top beauties were made by another OTT beauty, Tammy Walker (nee Hoffman), an extremely talented friend of mine. They weigh a ton, but they are irresistible.

* Tammy has her own range called Dollhouse. This is an article that appeared in the Times about her earlier this year:

http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/article414627.ece/My-design

12. Alchemy necklace

My mom used to wear this when I was growing up. It’s actually a kind of rudimentary perfume holder, which is why I call it the alchemy necklace. The stopper fell into the body of the pendant years ago and now it rattles about.

13. Dainty bag – vintage

A vintage find from somewhere along the way, I love the dusky colour, the chain handle and the floral detail near the clasp.

14. Pilgrim earrings

I bought these at Homework in Plett – they are by a Danish jewellery company called Pilgrim. They weigh so much that I wear them like once a year. I like the way the glass is a kind of new take on the traditional cameo.

http://www.homework.co.za/

http://www.pilgrim.dk/HOME/Pages/default.aspx

15. Sequinned headpiece – vintage

I bought this ages ago at Green Sleeves in Stellenbosch during a wild weekend. It’s actually just a kind of fabric detailing, but I wear it as a headpiece. I have always wanted to sew it onto something but the permanence of it distresses me!

* Thank you Miss Jenna Pallent for taking these photos and for a lovely weekend.